Spring Break
Panhel asks MU to ban gossip site
Clint Reinbolt
Issue date: 12/9/08 Section: Front Page
According to Akin, a letter concerning Juicy Campus was sent to the Ohio Attorney General two months ago. The letter, co-written by Akin and Ali Cook, vice president of recruitment for Panhel, was sent on behalf of Miami's Panhel executive council and asked for assistance and advice on dealing with problems Juicy Campus has created at Miami. As of now, Akin said there has been no response.
Akin also said that Miami's administration has been contacted in an attempt to ban the Web site. So far, however, Miami has refused to take action.
According to Claire Wagner, associate director of university communications, there is currently no movement within the administration to ban Juicy Campus at Miami.
Juicy Campus has taken care to protect itself legally. Posting on his blog in February 2008, Juicy Campus creator Matt Ivester claimed that the Web site "is immune from liability arising from content posted by users."
Under section 260 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the fact that Juicy Campus only provides a forum and does not tell people what to say makes it a third party. Thus, he feels the Web site cannot legally be held responsible for what its users post.
Akin said that Panhel has asked fraternity and sorority presidents to advocate against using the Web site. She said since it appears unlikely that the site will be banned on campus, the next best option is to try and curb its use.
"Whether we like it or not, Juicy Campus is here," Akin said. "People are going to say things and it's just something we're going to have to deal with."
In addition to TSU, Hampton University blocked the site, and a University of Delaware student filed a lawsuit against several individuals who posted comments on her-referring to the anonymous posters as John Does 1 through 5.
TSU's student newspaper, the TSU Meter, reported Sunday that Juicy Campus is working with Tennessee's chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union to bring a lawsuit against TSU.
Akin also said that Miami's administration has been contacted in an attempt to ban the Web site. So far, however, Miami has refused to take action.
According to Claire Wagner, associate director of university communications, there is currently no movement within the administration to ban Juicy Campus at Miami.
Juicy Campus has taken care to protect itself legally. Posting on his blog in February 2008, Juicy Campus creator Matt Ivester claimed that the Web site "is immune from liability arising from content posted by users."
Under section 260 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the fact that Juicy Campus only provides a forum and does not tell people what to say makes it a third party. Thus, he feels the Web site cannot legally be held responsible for what its users post.
Akin said that Panhel has asked fraternity and sorority presidents to advocate against using the Web site. She said since it appears unlikely that the site will be banned on campus, the next best option is to try and curb its use.
"Whether we like it or not, Juicy Campus is here," Akin said. "People are going to say things and it's just something we're going to have to deal with."
In addition to TSU, Hampton University blocked the site, and a University of Delaware student filed a lawsuit against several individuals who posted comments on her-referring to the anonymous posters as John Does 1 through 5.
TSU's student newspaper, the TSU Meter, reported Sunday that Juicy Campus is working with Tennessee's chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union to bring a lawsuit against TSU.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Meredith
posted 12/10/08 @ 1:16 PM EST
I feel that JuicyCampus is an awful site and that Miami should avoid its use. However, isn't a campus all about freedom of speech? If we ban this site what does it say about us a a university. (Continued…)
Max
posted 12/11/08 @ 5:47 AM EST
I agree with the above post. As asinine, rude, and wreckless as JC might be, people have the freedom to use it as they wish. Honestly, I don't think that it's meant to cause harm to people, it's just a gossip site, with very little difference between it and the tabloids filled with celebrity gossip every week. (Continued…)
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